ENGAGE is an evidence-based intervention that seeks to support tamariki with their self-regulation, through learning intentional skills by playing games.

Self-regulation is a vitally important skill-set to nurture and develop in the early years; substantial research has shown that a strong early foundation in self-regulation leads to sustained positive outcomes across all aspects of life. This includes better physical and mental health, more healthy and fulfilling relationships, better financial stability, reduced risk of criminal offending – the list goes on! The expansion of the ENGAGE programme is leading to a rapidly increasing number of our mokopuna in Aotearoa being supported to develop these important skills, and therefore increase their chances of success as they grow up and become adults.

Following on from Jo Luxton’s announcement in April that the Government would fund the ENGAGE programme to reach 1,830 early learning services across Aotearoa over the next four years, the ENGAGE team have been working hard on the expansion of the programme. So far this year, they have started work with over 300 early learning services across Ōtepoti, Tāmaki Makaurau, Taranaki and the Bay of Plenty. As time goes on this delivery will also expand further into all of the ministry regions in Aotearoa, enabling tamariki across the country to benefit from what ENGAGE has to offer.

Another exciting progression for ENGAGE since the funding announcement has been an increased capacity for the ENGAGE team to provide ongoing support to early learning services for years after their initial delivery. This is an incredible milestone, and it sets ENGAGE apart from a lot of other Professional Development programmes offered in the education sector. The ability to maintain relationships and support between ENGAGE facilitators and early learning services has huge potential to increase the chances of positively impacting tamariki, whānau and kaiako within these services, as the programme becomes more and more deeply implemented and embedded.

If you would like to find out more, please feel free to email enquiries@engageplay.co.nz